NWauctioneer buys abattoir

CUMBRIA auctioneers Penrith Farmers and Kidds have signed a seven-figure deal to buy the former Winders abattoir at Blackpool.

The new company, to be known as North West Food Products Ltd, slaughtered its first stock at the site on Monday.

Penrith Farmers and Kidds say it will be used to slaughter and process stock for its Cumbrian Fellbred scheme as well as being run as a commercial abattoir. Within six months, weekly throughput should reach 250 cattle, 3000 sheep and 600 pigs from Cumbria farms.

Penrith Farmers and Kidds boss Richard Morris said the deal showed the companys commitment to consolidating the future of Cumbria livestock producers.

"Farmers in Cumbria want to know whos behind them in this time of uncertainty. We definitely are. The new business will be a great asset for the future development of Cumbrian Fellbred and we want to look at expanding into additional processing by utilising the large boning plant at Blackpool," said Mr Morris. &#42